Matchday #17 FC Cincinnati vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Audio Only
Al Lang Stadium – Attendance: 6,269
The match started with both teams slowly feeling each other out. Both sides sending long balls and defending volleys. Dacres made his presence known with some physical play that led to a drawn foul in the 3rd minute.
Ristoff was able to get the first shot of the match, in the 4th minute, which sailed high. Tampa Bay gained possession early, working the ball up the sideline and through their back line trying to break the Cincinnati defense.
The first card came in the 7th minute when FC Cincinnati midfielder Aodhan Quinn tripped Cole who was quickly moving down the midfield leading a break for the Rowdies.
Dacres, in the 11th minute, was able to get the first shot for the orange and blue, although it did not have enough power to get by the keeper.
The first half overall was very uneventful until the 39th minute when Tampa Bay’s Morell was able to work the ball through the back line and find Patterson for a one touch shot that found its way past Mitch Hildebrandt.
Soon after, in the 44th minute, FC Cincinnati defenders had a lapse in judgement allowing Morrell to get a shot off which was blocked by Hildebrandt but the rebound landed perfectly for Joe Cole to get a shot in the back of the net.
Almost as quickly as FCC found themselves in a two goal deficit, a storm rolled into St Pete and the end of the first half was met with a weather delay and some interesting ESPN E:60 programming.
The second half did not get much better for the boys in orange and blue. A few changes on the field with Djiby coming on at 45′, McLaughlin at 62′ and Dominguez at 75′.
Cincinnati came out with a sense of urgency trying to climb out of the two goal deficit, but nothing was going their way. Djiby had a great header in the 49′ which was blocked by Pickens in full extension.
Another close call came in the 61′. Josu was able to make a sliding tackle on a one-v-one. He then went on to body the attacker, and clear the ball.
One of the few highlights for FCC came in the 82′ minute when McLaughlin was able to get off a shot that went wide of the far post by mere inches.
Overall it was a trip to Al Lang stadium that Koch and the club will want to forget.
3 Things to Know
Formidable Formation: Another match, another decision to run the 3-4-3 by Koch. It’s apparent the formation gives them the best chance to create goals. Tonight’s match against Tampa Bay showed a few attacking plays but the midweek personnel change show to be too much. It’s safe to say the 3-4-3 is here to stay.
Rotation Rotation: Perhaps tonight’s lineup was not the lineup that everyone wanted to see. The past twenty one days we have had seven matches, it would be brutal to put the same 11 through that regiment. The good news, pending a further Open Cup run, we only have four matches in August. Some much needed rest is on the horizon.
Delbridge down: We did not see our trusty center back play against the Rowdies, and his presence was missed. Hopefully he was just getting some much needed rest. If we have to go any extended time without Harry, there will be some major adjusting to do.
Player Ratings
Make sure to vote on the performances of your favorite FC Cincinnati players. Go to our story, or to https://goo.gl/forms/ByH3Boj3QJ09H7GH2
Box Score
FC Cincinnati Starting XI (3-4-3): Hildebrandt (GK), Berry, Nicholson (45′), Halfhill; Hoyte, Walker, Quinn (74′), Josu; Dacres (62′), Konig, Wiedeman
Subs: Jaye (GK), Bahner, Djiby (45’+), Dominguez (74’+), McLaughlin (62’+), Polak, Stevenson
Tampa Bay Rowdies Starting XI (4-3-3): Pickens(GK), Portillos, Collins, Mkandawire, King; Schafer, Savage, Cole; Hristov, Patterson, Morrell
Subs: Fitzgerald(GK), Porter, Jones, Chavez, Vingaard
Scoring
39′: Tampa Bay Rowdies – Patterson (Morrell)
44′: Tampa Bay Rowdies – Cole
Next Up:
Sunday 7/9- vs. Richmond Kickers – 6 p.m. EST – Nippert Stadium
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